Apparatus for casting massive bullion blocks



F. A. BOND 2,430,399

APPARATUS FOR CASTING MASSIVE BULLION BLOCKS I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept. 6, 1949.

Filed April 12', 1946 H1. mu.

BY IIYTQRNEY Sept. 6, 1949. F. A. BOND 2,430,899

APPARATUS FOR CASTING MASSIVE BULLION BLOCKS Filed April 12, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. jhdlnkl Hind/(1.30M!

Patented Sept. 6, 194a APPARATUS ron CASTING MASSIVE BULLION BLOCKS Frederick Arnold Bond, East Helena, Mont., as-

aignor to American smelting and Refining Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New Jersey Application April 12, 1946, Serial No. 661,708

1 Claim. (01. 22-139) This invention relates to the casting of lead and particularly concerns apparatus for producing massive lead blocks which are readily amenable to handling and yet free from anchors or similar handling devices of extraneous metal or materials.

It has long been the custom in many lead smelters to cast lead bullion in bars of the order of 100 pounds for shipment to refineries. Upon arrival at the refinery it is found, almost invariably, that the bars have shifted in transit necessitating either restacking for unloading by truck or hand charging to charging machines.

Within the lead refineries themselves there has developed over the years the practice of making interdepartment or intradepartment transfers by casting lead blocks of several tons in which a steel anchor is embedded to permit easy handling of the blocks by crane. However, for interplant shipments, such as between lead smelter and refinery such practice is undesirable by reason of the shipment of the anchors of extraneous material from smelter to refinery and the difiiculties in weighing which their presence occasions.

The present invention overcomes these and other diflicultles by providing method and means for producing a massive lead block which is readily removed from the casting mold and which is thereafter free from handling devices of extraneous metal or material. By massive" lead block is meant one of several tons weight, e. g., of the order of ten tons.

Although the novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claim appended hereto, the invention itself, as to its objects and advantages, and the manner in which it may be carried out, may be better understood by referring to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompa ying drawings forming a part thereof, in which Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mold fitted for casting massive lead blocks in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal view similar to that of Fig. 2; but showing the filling of the mold with molten lead;

Fig. 4 is a view showing a cast block being reso moved from the mold by means of a bail lift engaging the screws cast in the block;

Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section through a cast block showing one screw partially removed and another screw completely removed with the opening closed by a block of lead; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the handling of .the cast block by double jaw automatic tongs after the screws have been removed.

Like reference characters denote like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1-3, l0 denotes a rectangular mold having offset portions l2 and H at either end of the bottom thereof and reinforcing ribs l6 and I8. Extending across the top of the mold II are a pair of cross pieces 20, 22 provided at their respective central portions with fork members 24, 2. Lugs 21 welded to either side of the top rim of the mold ID, as shown, secure the cross pieces 2., 22 in position by means of key members 20. A pair of screws 30 provided with slotted collar portions 32 are positioned in the mold It by engagement with the fork members 26 and the ball and chain members 34 which extend from the eyes 36 of the screws 30 over the ends of the mold III.

In Fig. 4 there is illustrated a bail device ll having hooks 42 for engaging the eyes it of the screws 30 for removal of the cast block from the mold Ill. Reference character 44, Fig. 5, denotes a lead plug with which the hole in the cast block can be sealed following removal of the screw ll. Handling of,the finished cast block 46 by means of a double jaw automatic tongs 40 is illustrated in Fig. 6'.

In casting massive blocks of lead bullion in accordance with the invention, the mold II is fitted with cross pieces 2| and screws as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, the molten lead then being introduced into the mold as illustrated in Fig. 3. Following introduction of the molten metal, same is cooled for a suillcient period to firmly embed the screws therein. For a block of approximately 10 tons-say, 8 feet by 3%. feet by 14 inches deep-a. period of two or three hours will ordinarily sufiice for solidifying the casting but this time can be shortened, to say, one hour, by chilling with water if desired.

Following the cooling period the cast block is readily removed by means of a crane (not shown) carrying the bail ll whose eyes 42 engage the screw eyes 36.

If destined for interplant shipment the cast block is directly deposited in a gondola car for shipment-six such blocks constituting a carload. Upon depositing the block and removing the bail 40 the screws are readily removed from the massive block simply by inserting a bar through the eye It and sivins same two and one-half to three turns, depending upon the pitch of the screw II. The screw is then returned for casting new blocks and the cavity left in the block may be readily closed by hammering in a cylinder 01' lead 44 as illustrated in Fig. 5. This latter operation will effectively prevent the interference of any foreign materials. such as rain or snow, during transit. Alternatively, a bar can be placed in the screw cavity and driven down through the bottom of the block to provide a drain.

Further handling of the blocks may be by crane carrying a Gellert double jaw automatic tongs such as illustrated inFig. 6, or, if desired. by chains engaging the noses I at either end of the block.

The advantages 0! the present invention will be self-evident to all those who have had to deal,

with the problems attending the unloading and handling or either the usual 100 pound lead 20 bullion bars or the larger bullion blocks embodyins the expedient of freezing steel anchors in the blocks.

Whatisclaimed is:

Apparatus for casting massive. lead blocks comprising: a rectangular-shaped mold, a pair of cross pieces extending across the top of the mold, each cross piece having a forked member afllxed thereto, and a pair of screws, said screws having a slotted collar portion near their respective head ends for engaging the respective forked members of'the cross pieces aforesaid during the casting operation.

' FREDERICK ARNOLD BOND.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle of this patent:

- UNITED STATES PATENTS Ingersoll Sept. 28 i937 

